The 23-year-old was never able to regain the form he displayed in 2009 at the Sox's Class-A affiliate, where he posted a 3.13 ERA with 10.9 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. Last year, Baseball America ranked the 6'6" hurler as the 28th best prospect in the Padres' system. According to the publication, Carter projects as a possible number three starter if he can find better command with his off-speed pitches.

Dunno why the Pads wouldn’t at least =try= the kid in the bullpen at a higher level. He’s shown strong ability to miss bats (plus IP-to-hits, plus K-to-IP) as a starter, and the move would let him stop fiddling around with the lesser pitches (most likely responsible for the rising gopherball numbers). I mean, he’s just turned 24; it’s waaaaay too early to give up completely on him.